Chapter Forty-Three First Floor

  I don't know if today is a lucky day according to the Yellow Calendar, but the first building has opened for business.

  What is the first floor, the first wine house, the best wine house, the first, of course, means the best.

  These days Chen Jiu pondered the words of the sages every day, studying the classics and books of various schools, hoping to be admitted to the Qingyang Academy.

  The name of this building may attract the envy of others in the same industry, after all, the name is too arrogant. However, without three points, who dares to go up to Liangshan? Since this building dares to be called "First Building", it naturally has its unique place.

  "The master, everything is ready." The old shopkeeper stood behind Chen Jiu.

  Chen nodded nine times, walked out of the wine building, looked at the signboard, no, it should be the red cloth outside the signboard.

  "Let's have a blast."

  "The fireworks are going off!" The old shopkeeper shouted loudly.

  A sudden burst of noise, the whole street, people coming and going, all turned their heads, this wine shop had already started advertising early on, as for the way of advertising, it was the first flyer in this world.

  Looking at the crowd coming and going, the old shopkeeper stood up on the previously set up platform: "Ladies and gentlemen, fellow villagers, our store is opening today, hoping everyone will give us more support in the future".

  "For the first three days after the wine house opens, all wines are free, and dishes are half price. Additionally, our boss has intentionally hung up two couplets to pay respects to all scholars; if someone can match them correctly, then all wines will be free."

  As soon as this was said, there was a commotion below, and the wine and water were all free. Who wouldn't want to join in on the fun? Anyone who didn't would be a fool.

  No matter in which world, taking advantage of others is human nature. As long as you grasp this nature, then you are God.

  The old master finished speaking and didn't say much, waved his hand to pull open the red silk cloth covering the signboard, and the three big characters "First Building" appeared in front of everyone's eyes. Everyone was amazed, this tone is really not bad.

  However, after entering the wine house, everyone felt different. Without mentioning the wine and dishes of this wine house, the decoration was also unique. Looking at the dancing girl who was singing and dancing, everyone's mouth was dry and their tongue was tied.

  Under the stage, next to the fountain, there is a notice with the store's rules written on it. In the center of the main hall, there is a handwritten letter from the governor.

  No matter what others think in their hearts, at least no one dares to make trouble here. Not only for the sake of the shop owner's face, but also for the governor's face, you should give him some respect. If you cause trouble here, it would be a slap in the face, and if the governor is unhappy, you won't have good days ahead.

  At this time, Fei Yan dressed as a young boy, holding two scrolls of couplets came to the center of the crowd: "Ladies and gentlemen, our host personally wrote these two couplets. No matter when, as long as someone can match them correctly, all drinks will be free."

  Many bookworms came this time, seeing the little boy so confident, they shouted: "Little boy, don't you hurry up and take out the couplet? So we can have a free lunch."

  "It's extremely urgent, hurry up and get it out."

  Feiyan looked at Chen Jiu, and after Chen Jiu nodded in agreement, Feiyan took a stool and slowly unfolded two scrolls of calligraphy, hanging them on the pillars in the hall.

  Someone couldn't help but recite: "Every inch of land is a temple, the temple speaks poetry, the poem says: Tomorrow send the monk back to the ancient temple". The second one: "The pass opens early, the pass closes late, letting guests pass through the pass".

  As soon as the couplet was hung up, those scholars who were still shouting stopped and furrowed their brows, then thought deeply with a puzzled expression, shaking their heads and swaying from side to side, looking quite adorable.

  Chen Jiu chuckled to himself: "If a scholar can't think of it, he'll pull his fellow students over, and if they can't, then he'll pull in more fellow students. It's like a snowball rolling down the hill, getting bigger and bigger. The wine house becomes famous throughout the land as scholars and scholars sing its praises, until its reputation echoes across the country."

  This is just a small trick, and countless predecessors have told us that this method is indeed very effective.

  "Brother, have you figured it out?"

  "Alas, this couplet feels strange and doesn't seem quite right."

  "It seems this restaurant is really something, the wine and free dishes aren't that delicious."

  "I really can't believe it, with so many of us we still can't make ends meet".

  The scholars all cried out in unison, each one proud and arrogant, unwilling to admit defeat. They called on their friends and classmates to come and solve the problem.

  Looking at the flow of people coming and going below, Chen Jiu stood in his own house with a hint of a smile: "If this situation continues, it won't take long for these several tens of thousands of taels of gold to be earned back".

  "Ugh, this business of getting into Qingyang Academy is really a hassle. Just looking at those so-called classics and scriptures makes my head spin."

  Chen Jiuxian had studied the Four Books and Five Classics in his past life, but the various schools of thought in this world were much more troublesome than before, without any coherence.

  Of course, the trouble doesn't mean that the various schools of thought in this world are more powerful than those in previous generations. It can only be said that each has its own strengths and weaknesses. To become a Confucian or Taoist sage in one's own world, how could there be any distinction between high and low?

  Chen Jiu was just having a headache over this matter when a commotion arose from below: "The Honorable Prefect has arrived."

  When the prefectural governor arrived, the entire wine tower was boiling. What is the identity of the prefecture? The parents of a group of people, the officials of the scholars, said something unpleasant, and the fate of everyone present, their future is all up to this one word.

  Chen Jiu heard the shouting below and didn't dare to tarry, hastily pushing open the door and running out, seeing the prefect standing at the gate, he quickly bowed: "Greetings, Prefect Sir".

  The governor nodded, with his hands behind him, stroking his white beard: "This wine shop of yours has some charm."

  "When you can't get praise from adults, please invite them inside."

  The governor nodded, and the group walked into the hall. The first thing that caught their eyes was the couplet. After reading it carefully, the governor furrowed his brow in deep thought.

  Everyone saw this and did not dare to disturb, quietly waiting for the result of the governor.

  "Alas, who came up with this couplet? It's so clever!" said Zhou Fu with a sigh.

  Chen Jiou said with embarrassment: "It was a mistake on my part."

  "Doing business is good, but don't forget to study, studying is the most important thing."

  Chen Jiu saw the governor's attention shift away and hastily said: "Sir, please go upstairs."

  After sitting down in the elegant room upstairs, the governor took a sip of tea: "Chen Jiu, your wine tower has just opened and it's so popular, looking at this layout is also unique, I suppose it cost a lot."

  Chen Jiu glanced at the provincial government building and said, "As for what you said, my wine shop didn't buy this land, just decorating and arranging everything cost three thousand taels of gold."

  Upon hearing the 30,000 taels of gold, the provincial governor's hand shook and he almost threw away the teacup in his hand. After a while, the governor sighed and said, "You're really rich."

  Chen Jiufu looked at the provincial government with suspicion: "Why does this old man always mention money, is he trying to swallow my wine tower or hinting that I should give him a share?"

  The prefecture master didn't know that Chen Jiu had a little nine in his belly, after drinking a cup of tea, Chen Jiu was about to refill it, the prefecture master waved his hand: "No hurry, no hurry, I came here today for two reasons, one is to boost your prestige and the other is to discuss something with you".

  "Please go ahead, sir," said Chen Jiudao.

  The provincial capital cleared his throat and said, "You also know that the families of those who died in battle in the expeditionary army are not living well. Even with your support, it won't last long. I'm thinking if you can think of a way to thoroughly resolve this matter and give everyone a comfortable living environment."

  Chen Jiuxin felt a sense of relief in his heart: "As long as they're not here to take away this hen that lays eggs for me, it's all good."

  After some deliberation, Chen Jiudao said: "Sir, there is a way that I don't know if it will work."

  "Go on and say it."

  "My wine shop has just opened and is short of some miscellaneous staff, you see..."

  The prefect nodded: "But with so many people, your wine shop needs several miscellaneous workers."

  "I need a steady supply of vegetables for my restaurant all year round. If business is good, it's hard to keep up with demand. I'll offer those orphaned children a price one cent higher than the market rate if they grow some vegetables at home and sell them to me. What do you think?"